Automatic electric signaling device.



PATEN TED AUG. 6

A. J. ROY. AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 9. 1908.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

THE Nokms PETER: co., WASHINGTON, n. c:A

No. 862,589. PATENTED A UGr.` 6, 1907. A. J. ROY.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC SIGNALING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

THS NcRRls PETERS cc., wAsHlNmuN, D. C.

10.862,589. PATENTBD AUG. e, 1907.

A. J. ROY.

AUTCMATIC ELECTRIC SIGNALING DEVICE.

- ArPLIoA'rloN FILED 1mm. 1906.A

4 SHEETS-SHEET '3.

Wwsses Y mfazaw tm/I Y l mila Re Y J ZMM No. A862,'.589 .V PATENTED AUG. 6, 1907.

A. J. ROY. A

AUTOMATlC ELECTRIC SIGNALING DEVICE. APPLIoATIoN FILED HAB. 9.' 190e.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

rus NaRRls PETER: co., wAsmNcroN.-Lz'c.

UNITED STATES PATENT FIITE.

AVILA lOSEPI-I ROY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR OI ONE-HALF TO AUGUSTE ZENON TRACIIY, OF PROVIDENCE, RIIODE ISLAND.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC SIGNALING DEVICE.

Patented Aug. 6, 190'?.

Application filed March 9,1906. Serial No. 305,016.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known'that I, AVILA JOSEPH ROY, of the city of Providence, in'the State oi Rhode Island, United States of America., have invented" certain new and usel'ul Improvements in Automatic Electric Signaling Devices, ot which the following is full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to electrically controlled semaphores and is designed as an improvement en U. S. Patent, No. 757,722, granted April 19th, 11904, to Dona Boisvert The main object of my invention is to provide a semaphore having positive means for rotating the semaphore arms and lamps, and electrically actuated means for controlling said rotating means.

A lurther object is to provide means l'or automatically operating the semaphore i'rom a distant station, notifying the operator of the position of the semaphore, notil'ying the operator of the passage of a train, and further for communicating from station to station, or from the station to a lineman at the semaphore.

To accomplish these objects, I employ an elevated casing containing a weight actuated mechanism for rotating the semaphore arms, an electric controlling apparatus, and a pair of revoluble lamps having difierently colored glasses in their sides. The source ot the electric current is located in the operating station which is so connected to the semaphore that notice of each shift of the arms or lamps is conveyed to the operator. Each operating station is also connected to the next station along the line so that intercommunication is established. An attachment adjacent the rails and actuated by the train wheels notifies the operator el' the passage of every train at the semaphore. A manually operated lever is provided for the signaling mechanism in case ot accident to the electric circuit.

In the drawings which illustrate my invention, and throughout all the figures ot' which like reference numerals designate corresponding partsz-Figure l is a perspective view of the semaphore in operative position on a line of railway. Fig. 2 is an interior view of the tower showing the front of the operating mechanism. F ig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the side oi the mechanism. Figf is a vertical sectional view ot' the base of the tower and the basement of the station, showing the emergency mechanism for controlling the semaphore in case o accident to the electric circuit. Fig. 5 is a Wiring diagram showing the connections between the operating station, semaphore, and the next station on the line.

In the above defined igures, l designates the casing supported on a post 2 having a weight shaft 3 at one side thereof. A shaft 4 is journaled in a bracket 5 attached to the casing l and supports on its outer end the semaphore arms G, and toward the inner end, a pallet wheel 7, pinion S, and bevel gear 9. A. second shaft l0, journaled in brackets Il.' similar to the brackets carries a large loose gear wheel l2 meshing with the pinion S, a ratchet wheel 1,3 Xed to said gear wheel, a vfixed ratchet wheel 1.11-, and a lixed drum l5. A pawl 1G on theratchet wheel l?, is held in engagement with the teeth ol1 the wheel I4 by a spring I7, thus allowing the drum l5 and wheel llt to be rotated independently oi' the wheel I3 in one direction only. A rope lS is wound on the drum '175, and a heavy weight 19 is attached to the iree end ol' said rope. This weight is adapted to descend the shalt il, thereby unwinding the rope I8 and rotating the drum l5 towards the left, as seen in Fig. 2. Dy reason ol the pawl 1G, the wheel 13 and gear wheel l2 will be rotated likewise, thus rotating the pallet wheel 7. The arc oi revolution oi the pallet wheel 7 is governed by the pallet 20, which is pivoted to a shell 2l within the casing I. When it is desired to shift the semaphore, a button 59,'in the distant station, is pressed, which closes a circuit energizing the electric solenoid 2S in the casing. The solenoid 23 operates to raise a pivoted catch 24 which releases the segment 25, allowing it to travel through a portion ol' a revolution by reason oi' the weight 2G depending l'rom the cord 27, which cord is attached to one corner ol' the segment and passes around the curved portion ol its circumference. Through the agency ol the link 2S, the movement of the segment is utilized to withdraw the pallet 20 trein engagement with the arms 29 of the pallet; wheel 7. This allows said wheel to rotate as described until its armscome in contact with the loot 3() of the pallet which is prevented from passing out ol' the path oi the arms 29 by the link 28 bringing up against the shalt 3l on which the segment 25 rotates, \\."heu the arms 29 of the pallet wheel 7 strike the Vtoot 30, they force the foot out of their path, thus returning the segment to its original position. The pallet 2() is also loi-ccd into the path of the next arm 29, and the catch 2l is allowed to 'fall by its own weight into engagement. with the segment, as shown in Fig. 2i As the weight 2G falls, on the release of the segment, it strikes a gravity actuated hammer 32, and causes it to strike a gong 33, thus giving notice to anyone near that the semaphore is changing, preparatory to the passage oi a train. In case the electric controlling apparatus should become disabled, I provide a weight 35, which is normally held out or' engagement with the catch 24 by the springs 3G and 37, but which may be actuated to raise the catch 24 and release the segment 25 by means of a wire 34, which passes through the underground tube 3S i'rom the semaphore to the operating station. A spring 39, in a manhole 40 at the base of the semaphore tower, serves to keep the wire 34 always the signaling buttons.

taut. The station end of the wire is led over guide pulleys 4l to a block tackle 42 operated by a lever 43 whose motion is controlled by the lever 44 in the operating room of the station.

To reduce the friction of operation, the extremities of the pallet wheel arms, or the pallet itself, are provided with anti-friction rollers 45, or both may be so provided, as shown in Fig, 2.

As the semaphore revolves, pins 4G on the pallet wheel arms engage the spring terminal 47 and close an electric circuit which rings a bell in the station, as shown in lFig. 5, thus notifying the operator that the semaphore has moved. -v The pallet wheel 7 has two safety and two danger arms arranged alternately. The pins 4G on the safety arms are placed towards thel inner ends of said arms so as to make only a passing contact with the tip of the terminal 47, while the pins on the danger arms are placed farther out so as to engage the terminal 47, deflecting it from its normal position and remaining in contact with it when vthe semaphore is at rest at daiiger. The position of the pins 46 is clearly shown in Fig. 5. The next move of the semaphore withdraws the pin and breaks the circuit.

A further device, consisting of a fixed contact 48 between the rails and a spring contact 49 dcpressible by a passing train, is adapted to notify the operator that the train has p-asscd the semaphore and that the same may be reset. 'lhe bevel gear 9, fixed to the pallet wheel shaft 4, engafl'es with a pair of bevel gears 50 mounted on the extremities of shafts 5l, supported in brackets 52. The opposite extremities of the shafts 5l are also provided with bevel gears 53 adapted to engage bevel gears 54 fixed to the revoluble lamps 55. These lamps revolve through the same arc as the semaphore arms 6.

A series of batteries 5G are located in the operating station for supplying current to the solenoids 23 and 23 and the bells 57 and 57. 58 and 581L designate the semaphore operating buttons in two stations, and 59 and 59n (i0 is the reversing switch in the operating station. On pressing the button 59, a circuit is made through wires (52 and (33, solenoid 23 in first semaphore, and wire (i4, thus withdrawing the pallet 20 and allowing the pallet wheel 7 to rotate onequarter revolution and set the signal, On pressing the button 58, a circuit is made through the wires (32 and 65, bell 57, wire 6G, terminal 47, wire 67, bell 57, and wire GS. The bell in the sending station on the return circuit, rings and thus notifies the operator that the bell in the receiving station has rung. By means of this and all other inter-station bell circuits, communication may be carried on by means of pre-arranged signals. On pressing the button 59, a circuit is made through Wires (34, 69, and 70, solenoid 231in second semaphore, and wires 7l, 82, and 68, thus operating the second semaphore exactly as the first is operated,

On pressing the button 58a, a circuit is made through wires 64, G9, and 7 5, terminal 47, wire 67, bell 57, and wire G8, ringing the bell in the first station as a call to establish communication. The operator answers on 58 and closes the switch G0. Then on pressing the button 58a in the second station, a circuit is made through wires 64, 69, and 75, terminal 47, wire G6, bell 57, wires 65 and 76, switch G0, wires 77 and 68. A second return circuit is made simultaneously irom the terminal 47, Wire (57, bell 57, and wire G8. It will be seen that with the switch G0 closed both the bells will ring when the button 58fL is pressed, whereas only the bell 57 rings when it is open. This gives the operator at 58*l the advantage of hearing his message repeated on his own bell as is always the case at 58.

When the pins 46 in the pallet wheel arms contact with the terminal 47, current. passes through the wires G4, 69, and 72, pallet wheel 7, terminal 47, wire 78, underground pipe 38, and wires 79 and G8, and simultaneously from the terminal 47 through the wire (57, bell 57, and wire G8. The object of the return circuit through the pipe 3S is that a second bell maybe inserted in the Wire 79, for instance, thus guarding against the danger of disablement due to the possible failure of the bell 57 to ring. A further object is that the pipe St may be used as a means to prevent the burning out of the coils of the bell 57 due to unforeseen overloading of the wires. When a passing train depresses the contact 49 to touch the contact 48, current passes through the wires (S4, (if), and 72, pallet wheel 7, wires 73 and S0, i

contacts 48 and 49, wire 8l, terminal. 47, wire G7, bell 57, and wire G8, thus ringing the bell in the operating station and notifying the operator that a train has passed thesemaphore and that the same may be reset.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the operation consists, briefly, of pressing a button in a distant station to close the circuit of the controller in the semaphore, said controller allowing the mechanism to rotate the semaphore arms and lamps and set the signal. The movement of said mechanism rings a bell in the station to indicate that the desired signal has been set. From Fig. 5 it will be seen that current generated for the controller is also used for signaling from station to station, and for notifying the operator of the passage of trains at the semaphore.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, it will be obvious that a semaphore having an electric controlling means for setting signals in connection with means for indicating that such signals have been successfully set, will eliminate all uncertainty regarding the position of the semaphore where the same is out of the operators sight, thereby minimizing the danger of accidents. A further advantage will be found in the train actuated device for notifying the operator that the semaphore has been passed, thus giving him warning to clear the line.

It will be obvious that telephones or similar instruments may be inserted in the bell circuits, for communication between stations.

Should it be necessary for a lineman to communicate with a station, the bell circuit can be established from the semaphore, by connecting the pallet wheel tothe terminal and signaling by means oi a predetermined code.

Having thus described my invention so that the same may be readily understood loy those skilled in the art to which it appertains, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isz- 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of swinging arms, a plurality of revoluble lamps, a motor driving said arms and lamps, a pallet wheel, a pallet engagingl said wheel, electrically actuated means for withdrawing the pallet to cause the rotation of the semaphore arms, and a depressible contact actuated by a train passing the semaphore to close the circuit of a bell located in a distant station.

In a device ot' the class described, the combination of a revoluble visual signal, an axle upon which said 'nal is carried, a motor tor actuating said axle, a pallet wheel having projecting arms provided with antifriction rollers, a pallet eng: ing said arms, electrically actuated means tor withdrawl g said pallet, means actuated independently ot said electrical means for withdrawing said pallet, and a depressible contact member actuated by a train to close a bell signaling circuit to notify the operator that the train has passed the semaphore.

Il. .ln a s' ialing system, the combination of swinging arms mounted on an axle` revoluble lamps geared to said axle` a pallet wheel on said axle, a motor driving theI axle, a pallet engaging the pallet wheel. electrically actuated means l'or withdrawing the pallet to allow the rotation of the arms and lamps, pins on the arms of said pallet wheel, a spring terminal in the path of the pins adapted to close the circuit of a bell` located in a distant station. at each partial revolution ot the pallet wheel, and a depressible contact actuated by a train passing the semaphore for clos ing the circuit ot said bell.

l. In a signaling sy em. a despatchiug station, a receivingstation, a semaphore for each station, an electric eireuit between each station and its semaphore, closable at the stations l'or controlling the setting ot' the semaphores. a second circuit between the stations and sema1' hores Vd by the setting ot said semaphores. a bell circuit closed by a train passing the semaphore, and a double circuit between the stations whereby intercommunication may be established. l

In a signaling system. a despatching and generating t tion, a receiving station, a primary semaphore controlled I'rom the despatching station. and a secondary semaphore controlled lrom the receiving station, a circuit closer tor the semaphore, and a bell circuit closer in each station. a reversing switch in the dcspatching station and a spring terminal in the primary semaphore, a circuit through both bells closed by the signal button of the de spatching station, a circuit through the bell in the despatching station closed by the signal button in the receiving station when the switch in the despatching station is open, circuits through both bells closed by the signal button. in the receiving station when the switch in the despatching station is closed, and a circuit through the bell in the de spatching station closable by a lineman at the primary semaphore.

6. In a signaling device, the combination of a revoluble visual sgnalfan axle upon which said signal is carried, driving means for said axle, a pallet wheel having projectingl arms provided with anti-friction rollers, a pallet, provided with similar antifriction rollers, engaging said arms, electricallyY actuated means for withdrawing said pallet to release said arms, manually operated means independent oi' said electrical means for withdrawing said pallet, a gravity actuated bell adapted to be rung by said pallet withdrawing means. means for notifying the operator that the signal has been set, and means for notifying the operator that a train has passed over the semaphore.

T, In a semaphore, the combination of swinging`- arms, an axle carrying said arms, a pallet wheel mounted on said axle. a motor driving said axle, a pallet engaging the arms of said pallet wheel. a pivoted segment, a radial tooth, on said segment. a pivoted catch engaging said tooth to lock the segment, electrically actuated means for raising the catch to unlock the segment, a Weight for partially rotating the segment, a link connecting the segment and the pallet and adapting the latter to be withdrawn trom the pallet wheel, a toot on the pallet in the path ot the pallet wheel for returning the pallet and segment to their original positions, and means for raisingl` the catch indepentL ently ot said electrical means,

In witness whereot I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

AVILA JOSEPH ROY.

Witnesses z C. \V. TAYLOR, I?. GommaA 

